Alexander’s POV


    I pushed Jess’s arms off me with little effort.


    “What happened?” I muttered inwardly. My wolf’s voice came


    low and clipped:“Someone’s behind you.”


    I turned instinctively, but the deck was empty.


    Jess, slightly tipsy and not hiding it well, clung to me again. Her


    fingers curled around my wrist like a lifeline. “Alex, don’t be like


    this. We were-”


    I didn’t let her finish. My hand locked around her elbow–not


    roughly, but with firm warning–and I stepped back.


    “If you ever try that again,” I said, voice cool as steel, “I’ll throw


    you overboard.”


    She blinked, stunned. “No. You wouldn’t.”


    “Don’t try me.”


    She wavered, mascara smudged just enough to ruin her poise.


    “It’s not my fault Rowan adores me! You broke up with me over


    that?”


    Chapter <b>31 </b>


    I sighed and pinched the bridge of my nose. She still didn’t get it.


    “It’s not about Rowan. Or you. It’s about the fact that you can’t take no for an answer. Greed doesn’t suit anyone, Jess. I’ve told you–repeatedly–that rtionships aren’t a contract. They’re


    not forced.”


    Her lips trembled, and for a second, I wondered if she’d copse


    into more tears or stage another outburst.


    Neither option interested me.


    “You need help,” I added quietly. “A therapist, maybe. Since the day I rejected you, something in you’s twisted. This isn’t love,


    Jess. It’s obsession.“.


    With that, I turned and left her on the deck. Alone.


    When I returned to the card room, the air was lighter, buzzing


    with conversation and whiskey–tingedughter. My gaze swept


    the table–and there she was.


    Olivia.


    She sat beside Gai, calm and upright, a slight smile on her lips.


    Her presence wasposed, but there was a tension behind her


    eyes.


    Gai spotted me and raised his brows. “Alpha, you’ve got a sharp


    one here. She handled three rounds like a seasoned yer.”


    I nodded without breaking stride, walking straight to Olivia.


    She was already rising from her seat. “I’ll go check on Jess,” she


    said softly.


    “No,” I said. “Stay”


    She paused, looking mildly confused but nodded. Gai discreetly


    shifted to make more room for her.


    I took the seat across from her, just as Alpha ck opened his


    mouth–loud, drunk, and far too familiar.


    “Nowthat’sa secretary, heughed. “Smart, graceful, and


    gorgeous to boot. Where’d you find her, Green? And does she


    The men at the tableughed.


    I didn’t.


    I tilted my head, locked eyes with him, and offered a faint smile.


    “Alpha ck,” I said coolly, “You must be drunk. I’m giving you


    a pass this once. Choose your words more carefully.”


    Theughter around the table stilled.


    My gaze didn’t waver. I didn’t need to raise my voice. One look


    was enough.


    Charter at


    Alpha ck cleared his throat, murmured something, and picked up his cards again.


    No one said anything to Olivia after that.


    She nced at me. Briefly. But her eyes said it all–thank you.


    I didn’t respond. Not outwardly. But I saw it. And that was


    enough.


    The game went on for another twenty minutes before Gaiid


    down his winning hand and let out a low whistle. As the cards


    were gathered and conversation drifted to business, Adele


    leaned toward me with her signature sharine smile.


    “Mr. Green,” she said, drawing out the sybles, “do you mind if I


    get your number? I’d love to stay in touch after tonight.”


    I didn’t look at her. “Gai has my number.”


    “Oh, perfect,” she beamed.


    Gai nced at me and nodded the slightest bit. I didn’t need to


    say it. He knew.


    Business only.


    He’d obviously give her the wrong number.


    After a while, Jess stumbled toward me, propped up by a


    Chapte <b>31 </b>


    flustered waitress who looked like she’d rather be anywhere


    else. Her heels cked uselessly against the deck, and her arms


    iled until one finallytched onto mine.


    “Alex…” she slurred, half–copsing against me.


    I caught her, jaw tight.


    Damn it.


    The rational side of me wanted to leave her here. But I couldn’t.


    She was the general manager of the Washington branch. Public


    embarrassment would do more damage than the tantrum she


    was throwing now. Not to mention the yacht was still crawling


    with people who’d be happy to gossip.


    I wrapped an arm around her to steady her, scanning the dock


    below. “Where’s your car?” I asked tly.


    She blinked slowly. “I… forgot…”


    Useless.


    As I turned my head, my eyesnded on Olivia and Gai standing


    a short distance away. They were whispering again. Close. Too


    close.


    Heath growled quietly in my head.“Olivia mentioned to Gai that


    you kissed Jess.”


    Chapter <b>31 </b>


    My eyes narrowed.


    I took a step forward and barked, “What are you two waiting


    for? Get her a car.”


    Olivia jumped. She reached for her phone immediately, fingers


    moving fast.